'Sin Stocks' Pay Off Handsomely

At least for the year-old VICE Fund it does. The fund, which focuses on alcohol, gaming, tobacco, and defense stocks, has racked up a whopping 17.18% YTD return through September 30, according to a news release from the fund’s Dallas-based manager, MUTUALS.com.

“We’ve always said that no matter what the economy’s doing, people drink, smoke, and gamble; and unfortunately, there’s always a need for defense contractors,” Co-Portfolio Manager Eric McDonald said in a statement. “Many of the stocks we own had solid, positive returns through 2000, 2001, and 2002 while the overall market was losing money. The fact that we’re beating the S&P and Dow in 2003 is a testament to just how solid these industries are in both good times and bad.”

The no-load fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,500. For more information, go to  www.VICEFUND.com .